Belgium: Lime Market 2024

Lime Market Size in Belgium

In 2021, the Belgian lime market increased by 2.9% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a perceptible downturn. Lime consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lime Production in Belgium

In value terms, lime production expanded modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 6.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Lime Exports

Exports from Belgium

For the seventh consecutive year, Belgium recorded decline in shipments abroad of lime, which decreased by -1.9% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports saw a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 0.9%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports rose sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 9.3%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main destinations of lime exports from Belgium, with a combined 84% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Luxembourg, Finland, Sweden and Ghana, which together accounted for a further 14%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Finland (with a CAGR of +1.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest markets for lime exported from Belgium were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 85% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Luxembourg, Finland, Sweden and Ghana, which together accounted for a further 11%.

Finland, with a CAGR of +1.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average lime export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 7.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Luxembourg ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Ghana (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lime Imports

Imports into Belgium

Lime imports into Belgium dropped modestly to X tons in 2021, falling by -3.2% against 2020. Over the period under review, imports showed a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 196%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime imports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 68% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of lime imports to Belgium, together comprising 95% of total imports. These countries were followed by the UK, which accounted for a further 3.5%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +17.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest lime suppliers to Belgium were Germany ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together accounting for 90% of total imports. These countries were followed by the UK, which accounted for a further 6.1%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +21.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average lime import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lime import price increased by +96.4% against 2014 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average import price increased by 50% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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